On tap at Plank Pizza, crisply clean hopped-up India Pale Lager relies on floral-bound tropicalia to carry the load above musky wheat-dried grassiness. Spoiled lemony grapefruit-orange souring and salty herbal retreat try confronting tangy tangerine-pineapple-mango tropicalia, but its sweet side wins out.
On tap at The Oath, wondrous ‘alchemy of wood and hops’ leaves initial caramelized bourbon vanilla sweetness upon sharp IPA fruiting, resinous pine lacquer, charred oak tannins and rosy floral aromatics. Boozy whiskey, sherry and cedar-chipped rum tones provide lightly lingered alcohol burn to bourbon-soaked orange peel, pineapple, peach, cherry and red grape tang as well as tertiary molasses-sapped coconut, marshmallow and pecan snips.
On tap at Poor Henry’s, crisply clean ‘classic’ golden lager merges floral-cologned lemondrop tartness with maize-dried musk, corn-sugared sweetness and doughy malts. Spicy lemon zest briskly spritzes up the mild citric-grained finish.
On tap at Shepherd & Knucklehead – Haledon, mild coffee roast, bittersweet dark chocolate smokiness and subtle Canadian maple syruping given light cave-aged bourbon barrel influence for soothingly rich Imperial Stout. Vanilla-sugared mocha finish gains oats-dried cola, walnut and Brazil nut illusions.
On tap at Growler & Gill, relaxing bourbon-barreled malt liquor contrasts maple-sugared corn sweetness against oaken vanilla-tinged whiskey dryness. Caramelized bourbon continuance gains firm footing as mild brandy snip sweetens the back end.
On tap at Taphouse 15, distinct soft-tongued gose brings watermelon-candied juiciness to the fore like no other beer before it. Light lemonade pucker resides directly behind lingering sea-salted watermelon taffy tartness. A sweet ‘n sour moderation that’s a Jolly Rancher alternative.
On tap at Amazing Grapes, marvelous 2017 limited edition bourbon-barreled moderation places bittersweet red cherry tartness in light bourbon-aged maple syruping. Tangy cherry fruitiness enhanced by cranberry pucker above vanilla-doused Graham Cracker wheat spine. A worthily subtle dessert treat.
Vibrant bourbon-barreled Imperial Stout utilizes compact blueberry puree adjunct to further enrich milk chocolate-y vanilla creaming. Syrupy molasses sweetness drapes Black Forest-caked dark rum warmth. Dark-roast mocha malting fortified by moderate hop-charred bitttering.
Lovely “fruit-forward” Ethiopian coffee roast rides above sugary pale malt base of elegant yellow-hazed moderation. Crisp lemony hop spritz provides smooth respite to lightly creamed coffee continuance as nutty vanilla-chocolate undertones add depth.
Advertised beechwood-smoked malts and oak-smoked wheat malts gain light peat splendor, but the real underlying force is the fudgy brown and black chocolate sweetness contrasting against the woody earth-scorched dark roast hop char. Smoked mocha molasses richness picks up wispy hickory and cherrywood sentiments as well as dried cocoa, seared walnut and burnt caramel undertones.
On tap at Poor Henry’s, brisk clean-watered light pilsner counters citric Cascade hops against wood-dried Chinook hops while placing corn-dried pilsner malts opposite sugary caramel malts. Floral-spiced lemony grapefruit tang lingers softly over dry pine resin. Summery and sessionable.
On tap at Amazing Grapes, fascinatingly decadent cola-hued Imperial Brown Ale benefits greatly from expressive Sumatra coffee influx. Bold coffee berry penetration receives bitter dark-roasted hop intensity to enhance mesmerizing coffee bean theme. Creamy milk-sugared caramel latte sweetness contrasts nutty black coffee pungency as light black pepper influence lingers. Fudgy black chocolate, vanilla, espresso and cocoa tones provide solid support alongside subtler hazelnut, pecan and walnut illusions.
